As a world-leading institution, Newcastle University has always recognised its responsibility to protect the natural environment: whether through trailblazing research, or large-scale sustainability initiatives like the Climate Action Plan.
The Sustainability Team at Newcastle University was launched in 2006 and focuses on eight key themes, including waste, travel, biodiversity, and carbon. Cristina Latuff shares the ways we are facilitating decarbonisation on campus, run by the Sustainability Team in collaboration with colleagues in Estates and Facilities and across the University. Read on to find out about these major developments.
Contents:
- Declaring a climate emergency
- Climate Action Plan and net zero target
- Solar photovoltaics on campus
- Merz Court CHP Plant and district heating
- Engaging the University community
- Future sustainability projects
Declaring a climate emergency
Newcastle University declared a climate emergency in 2019, becoming the second UK university to do so. This declaration was influenced by increasing public discourse on climate change, spurred by activist movements such as Fridays for Future and the work of Greta Thunberg.
By 2021, in response to mounting scientific research and national policy developments - such as the UK government’s legally binding net zero target for 2050 - the University accelerated its own carbon reduction target from 2040 to 2030. A key step towards this commitment also included full divestment of endowment funds from fossil fuel industries.
Credit: Elemental Photography
Climate Action Plan and net zero target
Newcastle University’s Climate Action Plan outlines key strategies, including reducing energy consumption, increasing renewable energy generation and transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Our net zero target includes both our direct emissions from on-campus sources like gas boilers and fleet vehicles (known as Scope 1 emissions) and indirect emissions from purchased energy such as electricity and steam (Scope 2 emissions).
Scope 3 emissions, which encompass travel and procurement, are currently excluded from the 2030 target because of less robust methodologies and reporting. Nevertheless, efforts to address Scope 3 are ongoing, including engaging with supply chains and conducting travel surveys.
Solar photovoltaics on campus
In 2023, we began Phase 1 of the University Solar Photovoltaics (PV) project, which deals with the conversion of light into electricity. As a city-centre campus, we have limited space for solar panels. Rooftop installations provide an ideal solution, maximizing sunlight exposure without taking up valuable ground space.
Phase 1 concluded in 2024, with the installation of panels on the Cochrane Park Sports Pavilion, the 14th building to support solar PV. Other buildings covered by Phase 1 included:
- Frederick Douglas Centre
- Urban Sciences Building
- The Catalyst
- Park View Student Village (six buildings)
- Sports Centre (two buildings)
- Philip Robinson Library
- Henry Daysh Building
Over a period of less than two years, the panels have generated 71.5 MWh of electricity and have saved 147,000 Kg of carbon from being emitted. This is equivalent to charging an electric vehicle for nearly 4.7 million miles and avoiding the emissions of approximately 147 transatlantic flights. Our largest and most productive array is at the Sports Centre which at its peak of 150kW, can generate the entire electrical requirement of the building.
Phase 2 is now underway, with installations already completed on the Bedson and Stephenson buildings and many more to come.
Image: Graph displaying the Sports Centre's power consumption over a week (24/03–30/03). The orange dataset represents the total power consumed by the building, while the blue dataset indicates the portion generated by solar panels.
Merz Court CHP Plant and district heating
The biofuel Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant at Merz Court was installed as part of the Stephenson Building project, showcasing an innovative approach to sustainable energy.
At the heart of Merz Court’s heating system is its energy centre: a powerful and efficient plant room tucked away in the building’s basement. Recognising its impressive potential, the University saw an opportunity to divert excess energy to the Stephenson Building. This meant that the building would not require its own energy centre, thereby reducing unnecessary emissions from both construction activity and excess energy production.
The heating plant is designed to provide very-low carbon energy to a growing network of buildings via an underground pipe system, including:
- Henry Daysh Building
- Stephenson Building
- King Edward VII Building
- Percy Building
- Old Library Building
The CHP is projected to provide approximately 25% of the University’s electricity base load. The approach links back to the Climate Action Plan, investing in district heating and reducing emissions through centralised renewable energy sources.
Engaging the University community
Alongside larger infrastructure projects, achieving net zero also relies on the involvement of the wider University community. Colleagues can participate in sustainability programmes like the LEAF lab accreditation for wet labs, or the Green Impact award for staff teams. Find out more by visiting our Colleague Action page.
Future sustainability projects
Exciting developments are on the horizon as Newcastle University prepares to launch the next phase of its net zero strategy, focusing on a more tailored building-by-building approach. This includes working closely with external consultants to refine business cases for various projects.
With thanks to
I am grateful to the Sustainability Team – Matthew Dunlop, Hannah Owens, Luke Whittaker, and Jordan Heeley - for their help in writing and compiling information for this article. I would also like to thank Tony from the Capital Developments team for providing data and figures, as well as Peter and Sam for their involvement in the Solar PV video.
You might also like
- find out more about Cristina Latuff, Sustainability Communications Placement
- for a better breakdown of the projects the Sustainability Team do across campus, check out our brand-new Sustainability Campus Map
- discover how we’re working towards a more sustainable future at Newcastle University
Header image credit: Elemental Photography